Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-01-21
PRACTICAL ACTION OF THE
FARMERS' NATIONAL
CONGRESS-.

PRACTICAL ACTION OF THE
FABMERS' NATIONAL
CONGRESS-.
The Farmers National Congress which
held it's seventh session in Washington
city last week, had fourteen States repre-
sented by 100 delegates. Virginia was
represented by strong delegation. among
whom were Dangerfald Lewis of Clark,
Charles Grattan and g. Julian Pratt of
Augusta, Or. Holt of Surry, and others.
President Robert Beverly, Of Virginia,
presided. One of the most interesting
events of the session was speech from
Capt. Charles Grattan in support of the
Reagan Interstate Commerce bill regu-
lating the railroad charges On freight
carried between the States. 1t was an
admirable one made in opposition to the
views Of the delegates from the North
western States who opposed the passage
of the bill. His quickness at repartee in
the debate, and incisive wit brought down
the house. The practical action of the
congress will he productive of much good
to the Agricultural interest of the coun-
try. It is set forth in the following reso-
lutions adopted by the congress:
Resoloed, By the Farmers National Congress
of the United States, that the Congress of the
United States be, and is hereby requested to
pass an act creating the Office of Secretary of
Agriculture, with all the emoluments and pri-
vileges of other Cabinet officers.
Res0S0ed That the Congress of the United
States be requested to extend the benefits of
the signal service to all stations, or portions
of the United States permeated by telegraph,
for the benefit of agriculture, by the necessary
display OF signals, or otherwise, as may be
thought advisable for such stations.
IPesogoed, That in view of the growing i'm
portance of interstate commerce. and the i'm
possibility of its regulation by separate State
governments, this farmers congress earnestly
recommends to the Congress of the United
States prompt exercise of its constitutional
powers to regulate commerce among the
States in such manner as to protect the pro-
ductive interests OF the country.
Whereas, The existence of contagious
pleuro-pneumonia at different points in the
United States and Canada, has already caused
paralysis of the cattle industry of the country
and immense direct and indirect money loss
and at present threatens the gravest disaster,
cultural interest, the food supply, export.trade
and transportation business of the United
States, therefore,
Resolved That the seventh National Far
mers' Congress assembled at Washington, D.
c., Jan. 18th, 1887, earnestly urges upon the
Congress of the United States the immediate
enactment of such laws as will confer all nee
essary powers and furnish adequate means
and machinery for the prompt eradication of
contagious and infectious disease among cattle
in the United States.
Res0z0e1, By the Farmers Congress of the
United States, that the Secretary of State be
and he is hereby requested to ask our minis
tiers to France and Germany and other foreign
nations to use all proper means in their power
to prevent the restrictions upon American
farm products properly inspected and shipped
to those countries.
ResoEoed That the Farmers National Con-
gress most earnestly urges upon the Congress
of the United States the necessity of a speedy
and complete development of the system of
water ways of the whole country, including
the Mississippi river, as being of equal impor-
lance to all the great interests commercial,
industrial, and agricultural
Resolued That the Hatch experimental sta
ton bill (forty- ninth Congress, first session,
H. R. 1923, report No. S18) meets our approx
al, and we would urge its passage.
Reso5ced That the Bills reported by the
Committee on Agriculture in Congress, and
Bills No. 1898 and 1884 TO promote Agrl
culture, and for other purposes, and also to
procure and publish certain information rela
tive to the demand for, and price of American
Agricultural and other products in foreign
countries, meets the approval of this Con-
gress
Resozged, That the clause in the Charter of
the National Banks which forbids their loan
ing money on real-estate, works great injury
to the farmers of the United States by denying
them banking privileges and thus causing
them to pay a higher rate of interest then any
class of citizens, and that we the farmers of
the United States in Congress assembled do
most respectfully and earnestly ask the Con-
gress of the United States to repeal the same.
Reso50ed. That the thanks of the Farmers
National Congress, are rendered to the House
of Representatives for its almost unanimous
vote in favor of the law enacting Department
of Agriculture, and that it is hoped and
urgently requested that the Senate of the
United States, will promptly give its assent to
the said Bill.
Resoz0ed That the thanks of this Congress
be rendered the Committee OF Agriculture of
the Senate and House and especially to their
respective Chairmen, for the measures propos-
ed and the ability with which those measures
have been maintained, for the encouragement
and development of the agricultural interests
of the country.